What are the differences between a cold and the flu?

Cold symptoms tend to start slowly, be less severe and last from two to five days. Flu symptoms often start suddenly, are more severe and can last from seven days to several weeks. The flu will also make you feel weak and tired. A fever is usually present when you have the flu, but doesn't always happen.

There are no prescription medicines to fight a cold. You can get a prescription medication to help with flu symptoms.

A cold and flu are both respiratory infections caused by a virus. The main difference between them is that they are caused by different viruses. Another difference is their symptoms. Although the cold and flu share some similar symptoms such as nasal congestion and fever, the flu tends to lead to more severe symptoms.

It's important to know the difference between the cold and flu because each illness is treated differently. You know you have the flu when you feel as though you've been hit by a truck and experience symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, muscle and body aches and extreme tiredness, along with coughing and nasal symptoms. A cold is less severe and often includes a runny nose, sneezing and coughing. Unlike flu, colds typically don't cause fever.

Many people confuse the terms "cold" and "flu" because the illnesses share some of the same features. Both are caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract, mainly during the winter, and both can cause symptoms such as coughing and sore throat. A cold is a minor viral infection of the nose and throat and can occur in any season. More than 200 viruses are known to cause the common cold.

The common cold and flu are both contagious viral infections of the respiratory tract. Although the symptoms can be similar, the flu usually produces more serious symptoms that last longer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalizations. On the other hand, the flu can have very serious associated complications.

Symptoms of upper respiratory infections, or the common cold, are usually coughing and sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, fever and a scratchy or sore throat.

Symptoms of influenza, or the flu, may include those symptoms but at a more severe level. Other flu symptoms can include vomiting and diarrhea, headaches and more debilitating muscle or body aches. Not everyone with the flu will have a fever, though.

Most people who get influenza will recover in several days to less than two weeks. But some people will develop complications caused by a viral flu infection affecting the upper respiratory tract (nasal passages and throat) and lower respiratory tract (lungs).

This content originally appeared online at Baptist Health South Florida.
https://baptisthealth.net/baptist-health-news/cold-vs-flu-lowdown-upper-respiratory-infections/?cat=life

The common cold and the flu, or influenza, may cause many of the same symptoms. For instance, both the cold and flu can produce fever, coughing, nasal congestion, headaches and fatigue. However, there are some important differences between a cold and the flu, including the following:

The flu causes a very high fever. With the flu, your body temperature may rise over 102 degrees Fahrenheit. A cold causes only a mild fever, if any. The flu can also cause chills and sweats; a cold doesn't.

Unlike the flu, a common cold can cause a sore throat, sneezing and a runny nose.

When you develop a cold, the symptoms usually emerge gradually. Symptoms of the flu usually come on more suddenly.

If you have flu symptoms and you are at increased risk for complications (you have a chronic medical condition or are 65 years of age or older), contact your healthcare provider.

The difference between a common cold and the flu is that a cold can cause headache, stuffy/runny nose, and sore throat, but generally does not cause intense body aches and high fevers. The flu is not so subtle. It often comes on suddenly, and the flu victim typically feels (and looks) like they've been hit by a Mack truck, with serious aches and pains in their muscles, bad headache, intense sore throat worse with swallowing, high fever, and often a cough.

This seasonal question is age-old: Is it a cold or is it the flu? While it often feels like you’re only choice to wait and see how sick you get, there are clues to help you differentiate one from the other. Typically, colds begin gradually with a sore throat that is rarely accompanied by a fever, headache and/or muscle aches. The main symptoms of a cold are sniffles, a runny nose and a wet sounding productive cough. Flu on the other hand, hits you like a freight train with a high fever that’s usually greater than 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit, a bad headache and muscle aches. Rarely do you have sniffles, and if there is a cough, it is usually a dry non-productive cough. The flu causes severe fatigue; you will be wiped out. Colds usually get better by 1 week at the most but the flu can linger longer. Another easy trick is if all your symptoms are occurring above your neck (such as runny nose) it’s probably a cold, if they are occurring below your neck (such as body aches) it’s probably the flu!

A cold, also called the common cold, and the flu, or influenza, are both infections of the respiratory system. Both colds and influenza are caused by a variety of different viruses. In addition, the symptoms of both cold and flu include a fever, cough, congestion, headaches, fatigue, and body aches. The similarities in symptoms make it difficult to distinguish one form the other.

However, with a cold, symptoms tend to be milder: body aches and fatigue are mild, the fever is lower, and the headache is less painful. People with colds have more sneezing, itchy throats, and runny noses. People with the flu experience more pronounced fatigue, higher fever, and painful headaches. In children, influenza can produce digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Flu is also more likely to lead to complications and hospitalization.

Continue Learning about Cold and Flu

Colds and flu are both viral infections, but have different symptoms. With a cold you will have symptoms such as a runny nose or a sore throat. Flu symptoms come on suddenly and may include fever, body aches or vomiting. While the...

re is no cure for either, there are treatments -- chicken soup, nasal sprays, rest -- which can help your feel better.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Cold and Flu

Colds and flu are both viral infections, but have different symptoms. With a cold you will have symptoms such as a runny nose or a sore throat. Flu symptoms come on suddenly and may include fever, body aches or vomiting. While there is no cure for either, there are treatments -- chicken soup, nasal sprays, rest -- which can help your feel better.